American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live arena as part of a huge world tour to coincide with the release of her latest album.

The music star dropped her fifth studio album on Friday, December 8th – called Pink Friday 2, it’s the sequel to her debut album Pink Friday from 2010.

The album features singles including ‘Super Freaky Girl’ and ‘Ruby Red Da Sleeze’. It also features collaborations with artists including Drake, Billie Eilish, Lil Wayne and J. Cole.

To celebrate the album’s release, Minaj surprised fans as she announced a string of European and UK tour dates, kicking off at Manchester’s huge new Co-op Live arena on May 25th, 2024.

In an email sent to fans who had signed-up to presale tickets, the singer said: “Surprise!!! Europe gets early access to GAG CITY!!”

The rapper will then head to Birmingham and London before going on to Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne and Berlin for more performance dates.

More dates are expected to be released in further announcements.

In another post shared with her followers on Twitter, Minaj wrote: “Gag City comes to Europe.”

Gag City is a reference to an online meme which has gone viral, which has seen Minaj and her fan base use AI to create a world covered in pink, inspired by her aesthetic.

It began as a simple tag by the star but fans have since gone on to cover places like airports, theme parks, Target stores, skyscrapers, KFC and even a Chanel store in a bright and vibrant shade of pink, using the hashtag #GagCity.

Presale tickets go live exclusively for Co-op members on Wednesday, December 13th, at 9am. To become a member and get presale tickets click HERE.

General sale tickets will then go live for everyone on Friday December 15th at 9am.

Co-op members gain access to first in the line presale tickets as well as other fantastic benefits. To find out more click HERE.

The confirmed UK and Europe 2024 tour dates for Nicki Minaj are:

• May 25th, 2024 – Co-op Live, Manchester, UK
• May 26th, 2024 – Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, UK
• May 28th, 2024 – O2 Arena, London, UK
• June 1st, 2024 – Accor Arena, Paris, France
• June 2nd, 2024 – Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• June 5th, 2024 – Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany
• June 7th, 2024 – Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany

Slipknot have announced a massive headline show at Co-op Live in Manchester next year.

American heavy metal band Slipknot have announced their massive European and UK arena tour, Here Comes The Pain, set for next year.

The tour celebrates 25 years since the iconic band, who formed in 1995, first played Europe.

Slipknot will be performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on December 17th, 2024, and will be joined by special guests Bleed From Within for one epic night at Europe’s largest indoor arena.

Slipknot’s thrilling, multi-sensory live shows are known for being legendary so guests can expect the 25-year anniversary shows to be especially explosive and not-to-be missed.

Slipknot rapidly rose to fame following the release of their eponymous debut album in 1999. The 2001 follow-up album, Iowa, although darker in tone, made the band even more popular. 

Like a spore out of the Midwest, these musical outliers have captured a Grammy Award alongside 10 nominations, scored 12 Platinum / 41 Gold album certifications around the world, and logged over 8.5 billion global streams and 3.5 billion video views to date – unprecedented for a rock act in this generation or any other. 

As well as their Manchester date next December, the metal giants will also perform in Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham and London around the UK, once they’ve toured Europe.

Says Clown of the upcoming shows: “It has been 25 years since we first played on the continent, and we’ve been back ever since. 

“The memories I have from all those times are life changing, and we’re ready to make more. I’m so excited to bring our 25th year anniversary tour to Europe and the UK. 

“Be prepared for an energy you’ve never experienced before. It’s happening.”

Pre-sale tickets go live at 9am on December 13th. Presale tickets are exclusively for Co-op Live members. To become a member and be first in line for presale tickets, click HERE.

General sale tickets got live at 9am on December 15th.

Co-op Live members enjoy exclusive access to presale tickets as well as other fantastic benefits. To find out more, click HERE.

Jungle legend Fabio and his longtime right-hand man Grooverider are coming to Manchester for one huge night of drum & bass.

The pair were at the forefront of the drum & bass scene as it exploded and developed their sound and partnership, playing at raves up and down the country, as it evolved into the globally-known genre it has become today.

The godfathers of the drum & bass have reinvented themselves and moved with the scene from where it all began in the acid house era, to their hugely influential London club night Rage at Heaven.

Widely recognised as the pioneers of the music they have been making their mark since 1988 and continue to be beacons in the underground scene.

The legendary duo are set to play at the Manchester Academy on Saturday, January 13th.

Playing alongside The Outlook Orchestra, together they will present a very special score celebrating a history of jungle and drum & bass.

Exploring classic anthems in ways never before experienced – sparking the imagination of generations of music lovers, the show will feature outstanding orchestral renditions of the scene’s most iconic and well-loved tracks.

Since its formation in 2017, The Outlook Orchestra has grown to be a force in its own right, collaborating with champions of sound system culture from across the globe and striving to drive the scene forward in new and exciting ways.

The gig will feature special appearances from Demolition Man, Jenna G, Kele Le Roq, Cleveland Watkiss and MC GQ.

Support on the night will be Manchester duo Northbase.

Guaranteed to be an unforgettable night, this unique musical experience will be a true celebration of the past, present and future of UK rave culture.

Fabio and Grooverider perform at the Manchester Academy, along with The Outlook Orchestra on Saturday January 13th. To book tickets, click HERE.